New Delhi, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : The Swachh Bharat Mission is celebrating its 12th anniversary, showcasing significant advancements in urban cleanliness. A recent government fact sheet revealed that cities are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and electric vehicles (EVs) to modernize sanitation services.
According to the statement, local authorities are adopting safer, cleaner, and more efficient methods for waste and water management through these technologies. For instance, the Raipur Municipal Corporation has introduced a digital “Fecal Sludge Management” (FSM) dashboard based on the UPYOG platform. This initiative, linked with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the National Institute of Urban Affairs, and the National Urban Digital Mission, allows residents to book online desludging services, make digital payments, and track the process electronically. Previously, residents had to visit the municipal office for such services.
Once a resident inputs their mobile number or property ID, the system automatically locates the address. The process of booking desludging services has been simplified to a single-page form. After completing the job, drivers upload photos, while the dashboard assists the city in monitoring vehicles and planning resources more effectively. This digital oversight helps transition from manual sewer cleaning to mechanized solutions.
In Thiruvananthapuram, the Municipal Corporation has implemented an AI-powered canal-cleaning system, the G-Spider robot. This advanced robot uses machine vision and sensor intelligence to detect, assess, and remove accumulated waste. It adapts in real-time to various waste types and water flow conditions. Its “five-degree-of-freedom” mechanism employs biomimetic claws to lift mixed and irregularly shaped debris, which is then directly deposited into designated collection vehicles.
The G-Spider enhances worker safety by minimizing direct contact with toxic gases, contaminated water, and hazardous waste. It operates effectively even in high water levels and strong currents, ensuring timely and organized canal cleaning.
In Guntur, over 200 electric autos have improved the cleanliness of door-to-door waste collection. Each vehicle is equipped with GPS tracking for real-time monitoring of the waste collection process. This initiative has eliminated the need for more than 71,000 liters of diesel annually and is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21,000 tons over the next decade.
The statement emphasized that since its launch on October 2, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission has evolved into a digital, sensor-based, and electric urban sanitation system. In Tamil Nadu, the Greater Chennai Corporation has deployed 5,478 battery-operated e-rickshaws across all 15 zones for waste collection, replacing diesel-powered vehicles. This fleet reduces carbon emissions by approximately 41 tons daily, resulting in an annual decrease of 15,160 tons.
Indore, in Madhya Pradesh, has also introduced 100 electric vehicles for door-to-door waste collection in key areas, ensuring transparency and monitoring through real-time GPS tracking via an Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC).
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